Q: You’ve won many titles Brendan, is it a case of every one is as good as the last? Every one is better than the last?
Brendan Rodgers: “Well, I think that’s what retains the hunger. I think that this season has been so satisfying in so many ways for me, and I’ve loved seeing us evolve as a team, develop as a team. From the beginning of the season, I’ve enjoyed seeing us bounce back from the setbacks that we’ve had. I’ve enjoyed seeing the players now get very close to feeling the reward for all the sacrifices that they make, because it’s an incredible group of professional players that come in to train and to work every single day.
“They don’t look for any easy days. They don’t look for any easy games. Sometimes we haven’t been at our best for whatever reason, but it’s certainly not through the honesty of the group. So, yes, we’re at that point of the season now. We’re very close, five games to go, a cup final to look forward to, and we really want to finish the season strong. And I’ve always felt from my first time here, if you’re going to win, try and win in the best way that you possibly can. And that’s what we want to do this season.”
Q: People on the outside maybe underestimate the difficulties in meeting the high expectations that the club has set over the years. Is that something that you talk about the sacrifices the players make to get to this stage? Is that the thing that people don’t see in dealing with the pressure and the demands of winning every game as well?
Brendan Rodgers: “Yes, I just think you obviously see reports around a bit more Celtic winning and this and that, but people actually don’t understand what goes into being that consistent to win. I know that from the outside, looking in, it can maybe feel like that, but the work that goes in, on and off the park here, the Celtic Football Club, from so many people, from the very top, you know, Dermot Desmond, whose experience and knowledge and influence to manage everything and see it from a sort of second position as such, and his intellect and what he brings from the very top is so important.
Dermot Desmond prior to the Celtic vs St Mirren Cinch Premiership match at Celtic Park on May 20, 2023 (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
“And then you get that right the way through the club. That then moves to me in terms of looking after the core performance. And then from that, you know your responsibility as a manager here, where you have to drive the players to deal with expectations of our supporters, which we cherish because that always pushes you to be the best you can. So, to live with all of that and deal with all of that 24 hours a day, seven days a week, that is a challenge.
Adam Idah. St Johnstone v Celtic, Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden Park on Sunday 20 April 2025. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)
“For the players then to come through that challenge and be successful with it, that’s what you would want from your club. So, on top of that, you’ve got to do it consistently and the consistency is there. It’s not an easy thing, this job managing this club and for the players to play for this club. It really isn’t easy. And that’s why I tip my hat to when I am here and I see how hard the guys work and get those rewards, then that obviously makes me very pleased.”
Q: Do you reinforce that message to the players, Brendan, because I think this will be the 19th title in 25 years and it’s over 40 trophies in that period as well. It’s quite a historic period for the club. Do you reinforce that to the players, to say you need to cherish this?
Brendan Rodgers: “No, not so much of the overall, like the record you just said. I know we’re in a golden era here at Celtic and people always say you’re miles ahead and everything else. I always think you’re never too far behind and you’re never too far ahead. And I think that’s what’s key. If you think you’re too far ahead, then you’re too content and then you stop growing and you stop developing. What we tend to want to do here is focus on ourselves, focus on very much in the now.
Daizen Maeda celebrates. St Johnstone v Celtic, Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden Park on Sunday 20 April 2025. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)
“There’s been a generation and a period now that’s had amazing success, brilliant for the supporters. What I love about our support is we celebrate it like it is our first. So there’s nothing taken for granted. But for us and how we work, we’re in a great period. But that only comes from keeping aggressive, putting in the work, because that’s ultimately what it boils down to. It boils down to hard work, hard work consistently and performing.”
